Like digital markets and distributed business models, the global workplace is increasingly decentralized. This evolving work environment brings the need for managers to embrace new techniques to support individual growth and collective commercial effectiveness. Additionally, modern supervisors with mobile teams face their predecessors' challenges without the advantages of proximity.

As a marketing professional directly managing remote teams, I constantly explore ways to maintain collective effectiveness while addressing individual needs and roles. Many of the same principles of successful in-person management apply when leading a distributed staff. While these traditional methods remain valuable, it’s necessary to incorporate new strategies, digital tools and online apps to engage, strengthen and unite the organization. The challenge is in understanding and inspiring each person's career path and distinct capabilities. Here are five ways to keep your remote teams thriving.

1. Make consistent communication a top priority.

A key to creating success within a distributed workforce is making sure that individuals feel 100% included even if they aren’t seen in person every day. Regular communication with all team members can help each individual to feel every bit a part of the local, regional or even global workforce.

As Stefania Pomponi, founder, president and chief evangelist at CLEVER, told me in an interview, “We are a virtual company and have been since we started eight years ago. In order to make our virtual workplace a success, we start by vetting carefully for independent self-starters who can be successful and productive working from home. We then put our staff through a battery of assessments -- we call it Office Astrology and it includes everything from Myers-Briggs to StrengthsFinders to determine everyone's preferred work and communication style.”

Weekly status calls and check-ins keep workers connected but keep in mind that these don’t have to be formal meetings. A willingness to pick up the phone or proactively keep people in the loop is usually enough.